Celebrate Mexico Now celebrates Bicentennial

Mexicanos this month aren’t only celebrating the fact that a girl from Guadalajara was just named Miss Universe. September marks the country’s bicentennial as well as the beginning of New York’s 7th annual Celebrate Mexico Now Festival. From September 16th until the end of the month, Celebrate Mexico Now will bring a little bit of La Tierra Azteca to the five boroughs and present New Yorkers with some of the finest examples of art, culture, and music from south of the border. Here are some events that you can break out the salt and lime for.

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NY Authentic Mexican Restaurant WeekSeptember 16th – September 30th

There are way too many Mexican restaurants in New York to sample in one lifetime, so as a tasty preview to Celebrate Mexico Now, just set aside the 16th through the 30th for Authentic Mexican Restaurant Week. You’ll be able to sample prix-fixe menus at 33 of the city’s best Mexican restaurants, antacid not included.

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Natalia Lafourcade@ Joe’s PubSaturday, September 18th

Singer/songwriter Natalia Lafourcade started out as the lead singer in the band Natalia y la Fourquetina, winning the Latin Grammy in 2006 for their album Casa. This year she’s been touring all over the US and Mexico promoting her latest album Hu Hu Hu, released after a four-year hiatus. At her show at Joe’s Pub on September 18th, she’ll present her own brand of alternative rock with the smoother sounds of bossa nova and folk, a definite can’t-miss!

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Monica Martinez: Wurmhaus@ Eyelevel GallerySaturday, September 18th

If you’re looking for something a little more exotic to eat, look no further than Worms, an exhibition at Eyelevel Gallery in Brooklyn. Artist Monica Martinez proposes an alternative to modern agricultural techniques by growing edible mealworms fit for human consumption. The gallery is also hosting a special tasting on September 18th, where guests can pair their grub (pardon the pun) with Mezcal San Honesto and various salsas.

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Moona Luna@ Museo del BarrioSaturday, September 18th

Moona Luna is the side project of alt-rock band Pistolera’s lead singer and songwriter Sandra Velasquez, inspired by the birth of her first child. Playing family-friendly songs, this bilingual band provides educational and catchy songs for both parents and kids to enjoy, so bring your kids to see them at El Teatro at Museo del Barrio the 18th.

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Ely Guerra@ (Le) Poisson RougeFriday, September 24th

She’s collaborated with 30 Seconds to Mars (please, forgive her) and La Ley, been on the cover of Time Magazine with Julieta Venegas, and become an alt-rock icon in Latin America. On Friday, September 24th, Ely Guerra returns to New York, performing at (Le) Poisson Rouge. She’ll be playing songs from her latest album Hombre Invisible, launched under her label Homey Company. Is there anything she can’t do?